Self-retaining latch with insert strengthener

ABSTRACT

A plastic retainer secured in a tubular screen frame section by means of a tabbed leg pressed into the slot provided for a pivotal type latch and by self contained pins pressed into holes in a surface perpendicular to the plane of the latch. The retainer provides resistance to force applied to the latch in two directions approximately perpendicular to each other.

United States Patent Johnson et al.

SELF-RETAINING LATCH WITH INSERT STRENGTHENER [75] Inventors: Morris E. Johnson, Batavia; Josef Princ, Glen Ellyn, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Nichols-Homeshield, Inc., West Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 17, 1974 [211 App]. No.: 434,046

[52] US. Cl. 292/202 [51] Int. Cl. E05C 3/04 [58] Field of Search 292/101, 202, 337, DIG. 31

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,520,030 12/1924 Lotz 292/202 X 1 June 24, 1975 1/1957 Conrad 292/202 UX 6/1965 Schlagc 292/337 Primary E.\'aminerRichard E. Moore Attorney, Agent, or FirmMann, Brown, McWilliams & Bradway 5 7] ABSTRACT A plastic retainer secured in a tubular screen frame section by means of a tabbed leg pressed into the slot provided for a pivotal type latch and by self contained pins pressedinto holes in a surface perpendicular to the plane of the latch. The retainer provides resistance to force applied to the latch in two directions approximately perpendicular to each other.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEIJJUN 24 ms 3 8 9 1; 2 5 6 SHEET 1 FIG. I

PATENTEUJUN 24 I975 SHEET .m moEa m GI SHEET PATENTEDJUN 24 I975 PRIOR ART SELF-RETAINING LATCH WITH INSERT STRENGTHENER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a screen structure and more particularly, to a retainer for a pivotal type latch used to secure the screen structure into a window frame.

In a well-known technique of attaching a tubular screen frame section supporting a window screen to a structure such as a frame, a latch is utilized which pivots into a slot formed in the screen frame to a retention position provided within the window frame. The latch thereby removably secures the screen structure to the window frame. In use of the latches utilized in such an environment, it has been found that forces applied to the frame in various directions are transmitted by the latch to cause damage to the screen frame or weaken securement of the structure to the window frame. Thus,

it is desirable that forces transmitted to the frame through the latch be more evenly distributed to reduce possible bending or other damage to the structure. A greater distribution of the reactive forces to lateral and horizontal forces insures that damage or bending of the frame does not occur.

It is also well-known that it is desirable that in the stacking of stacked screens for packagaing or shipping they should be desirably spaced for better handling, storage and retention. However, the prior art tech niques have required elements separate from the latch means to be utilized for such purposes. The use of separate elements are uneconomical and require extra steps to achieve proper spacing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to improve the retention of a screen and frame to a structure such as a window frame.

Another object of the invention is to improve the strength ofa retention means utilized to secure a screen structure.

A further object of the invention is to utilize a retainer element in conjunction with a latch for retention purposes.

A still further object of the invention is to utilize a surface on a retainer utilized in conjuction with a latching means which provides spacing for storage or packaging purposes.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention wherein there is provided a retainer which is secured to a tubular screen section and receives a pivotal type latch which retains the screen structure to a structure such as a window frame. Because forces applied to the screen structure in two perpendicular directions are transmitted over a greater area. the invention of the application resists deformation of the frame or other damage. The retainer utilized is inexpensive to manufacture and yet provides significantly improved results over the prior art techniques of attachment. Moreover, the design of the plastic retainer of the invention provides a surface extending above the plane of surface of the tubular frame to act as a spacing element when two or more screen structures are stacked adjacently as required in packaging or shipping.

LII

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a screen incorporating the latch and retainer therein;

FIG. 2 is a side schematic view of the retainer of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front schematic view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end schematic view taken along lines 44 of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan schematic view of a conventionallatch in a frame section, without a latch retainer of the invention, with one surface of the frame section cut away to illustrate the action of a pivotal selfretaining latch;

FIG. 6 is a sectional end view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5; Y

FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating the position and effect of the retainer of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is an end sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 there is illustrated a conventional pivotal type latch l, with tab 2 inserted in a tubular frame 3. In the solid line position the latch blade 4 is locking the frame into a strike 5 or opening in a structure 6 such as a window frame. In the dotted line position, blade 4 is retracted from the strike 5 allowing the frame 3 to be removed from structure 6. In this position, tab 2 abuts edge 7 of frame 3 preventing further pivotal motion of latch 1.

As is apparent in FIG. 6, a strong vertical force pressing tab 2 against edge 7 of frame 3 could result in deformation of edge 7 allowing the entire latch l to be removed from the tube. Likewise, a strong horizontal pull from left to right, such as would result in pulling the screen from the window, would deform side 8 of tubular frame opening the slot in wall 7 sufficiently to permit the removal from the tube.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 7 and 8 the retainer of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 9 and includes a leg 10, tab 11, pins 12, a raised surface 14, and latch receiving slot 15.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, retainer 9 is inserted in a slot, slightly longer than used with latch 1 alone, into which tab 10 is forced. Tab 10 also has a biased tab 11 which compresses during insertion onto the slot, but returns to a horizontal position to lock against side 7. Pins 12 are forced into holes in side 13 and may be opened or otherwise compressed to prevent back movement through the holes.

As is apparent in FIGS. 7 and 8, it can clearly be seen that when latch 1 is moved upward so tab 2 presses against wall 7 an effort is made to push the retainer 9 upward, bringing blade 10 with its tab 11 also againstwall 7 of tubular frame 3. In addition, the pins 12 transfer part of the force to the wall 13 in which they are inserted. The entire force is therefore spread over a larger area of wall greatly increasing the resistance to deformation.

Likewise, if pressure is applied against the latch from left to right, the retainer 9 contains part of the force applied against wall 8, spreading it to wall 13 through pins 12.

The result of the spreading of forces accomplished by the retainer is that the latch l and tube 3 are able to resist a force greater than that which would deform them without use of the retainer 9. An additional benefit of this retainer results because wall 14 extends beyond wall 8 of the frame 3. ln packaging screens for shipment it is often desirable to space them apart to prevent marring of the surface with wall 14 providing this spacing means.

A plastic material is preferably used for this retainer, but other materials may be substituted.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intent that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invcntion, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A retention device for retaining a frame to a structure comprising a frame having a latch receiving slot and a plurality of apertures; an insert adapted to be coupled to said frame overlying said slot, said insert having a slot complementary to the latch receiving slot when coupled to said frame; retention means carried by said insert for coupling said insert to said frame, said retention means including an inwardly extending leg adapted to extend through said slot in said frame and a plurality of pin members projecting from said insert and offset from a center line of said insert, said pin members adapted to be received within said apertures in said frame; a latch pivotal about said frame member extending through said slot in said insert and said frame slot, adapted to engage a support structure whereby said latch and said insert coact to distribute force applied to said latch over an extended area. i

2. A retention device as in claim 1 wherein said inwardly extending leg includes a tab member resiliently biased at an angle with respect to said leg.

3. A retention device as in claim 1 wherein said insert extends beyond an edge of said frame to provide a spacer for stacking a plurality of frames. 

1. A retention device for retaining a frame to a structure comprising a frame having a latch receiving slot and a plurality of apertures; an insert adapted to be coupled to said frame overlying said slot, said insert having a slot complementary to the latch receiving slot when coupled to said frame; retention means carried by said insert for coupling said insert to said frame, said retention means including an inwardly extending leg adapted to extend through said slot in said frame and a plurality of pin members projecting from said insert and offset from a center line of said insert, said pin members adapted to be received within said apertures in said frame; a latch pivotal about said frame member extending through said slot in said insert and said frame slot, adapted to engage a support structure whereby said latch and said insert coact to distribute force applied to said latch over an extended area.
 2. A retention device as in claim 1 wherein said inwardly extending leg includes a tab member resiliently biased at an angle with respect to said leg.
 3. A retention device as in claim 1 wherein said insert extends beyond an edge of said frame to provide a spacer for stacking a plurality of frames. 